Combined mail-box and signal.



W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLIOATI N FILED 1112.7, 1912.

1,084,893. v Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-$111313? 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOOIAPH COuWMNINl-ITON, D. c.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED NIB. 7, 1912.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

COLUMBM PLANOGIAPM CO..IIA$mN0mN. B. c.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION IILBD FEB. 7, 1912.

1,084,893, Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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CDLUMIIA FLANOOIIAPH CO-pV/MHXNOTQN. D. C.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED rm. 7, 1912.

1,084,893. Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

a'WMO/ZHIM ii/1166850776 COLUMBIA PLANOOIAPH CO.,}WAIMINOTON. D- G-WILLIAM H. MULLINS, OF REPUBLICAN GROVE, VIRGINIA.

COMBINED MAIL-BOX AND SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Jan. 20, 1914.

Application filed February 7, 1912. Serial No. 675,992.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. MUL- Inns, citizen of the United States,residing at Republican Grove, in the county of Balifax and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CombinedlVIail-Boxes and Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail boxes and has for its object theprovision of a comparatively simple and thoroughly ellicient. device ofthis character especially designed for erection along rural freedelivery routes to facilitate the delivery and collection of mailmatter.

A further object of the invention to provide a mail box, the operatingmechanism of which is under the control of a key and so arranged asautonnitically to display a signal of one color when mail is depositedin the box by the carrier, and to display a nal of another color whenthe owner of the box places mail therein for collection.

th ft'tl'illltl object is to provide a mail box which shallautoimrtically set the carriers signal when the lid of the box is movedto closed position, regardless of the nature of the signal beingdisplayed prior to opening the lid, thus rendering it impossible for thecarrier to leave the box after depositing mail therein withoutdisplaying his signal.

A further object is to provide means whereby both signals may be loweredand automatically locked in such position so as not to display anysignal when the carrier has no mail to deposit in the box, and meanswhereby the owner may display his signal to the exclusion of thecarriers signal when depositing mail in the box for collection.

A. further object is to provide means for auton'iatically opening thelid of the box when the locking mechanism is released, and means forpreventing injury to said lid during the opening operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mail box whichshall be strong and. durable in construction, attractive in appearance,easily operated, and absolutely water proof.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description,it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minordetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof,reference is to be had. to the :tollowing description and accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view oil. a combined mail box and signalconstructed in accordance with the present invention, showing thecarriei"s signal displayed; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the lid inopen posi tion to permit the insertion or removal of mail matter; Fig. 3is a vertical sectional view, showing the relative dispositiijm ot' theseveral parts constituting the signal operating mechanism; Fig. at is aperspective view of the operating mechanism removed from the box,showing, the signals in normal or inoperative position; ltig. a) is avertical sectional view, showing the position of the different partswhen the carriers signal (lisplayed; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of Fig.5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view, showing the position of the severalparts when the owners signal is displayed; Fig. 8 is a front elevation,partly in section of the curved lock bars, showing the construction ofthe trip device and its associated parts; Fig. 9 is a perspective viewof the parts shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a perspective view, showing themanner of locking the side bars in lowered position to display thecarriers signal; Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on theline 1l11 of Fig. 41-; Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on theline 12-12 of Fig. l; Fig. 13 is a transverse secticmal view taken atright angles to Fi 12; Fig. l-il. is a front elevation of the lock forsecuring the lid of the box in lowered position; Fig. 15 is aperspective view of one form of hey designed for releasing the lock.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The combined mail box and signal forming the subject matter of thepresent invention includes a body portion or receptacle 5, preferablyrectangular in shape, as shown, and adapted to receive letters, parcelsor other mail matter left by the carrier or deposited therein by theowner of the box for collection by the carrier. The receptacle 5 issecured in any suitable manner to a post or support 6, and is providedwith a pivoted lid or cover 7 having a depending flange 8 adapted tooverlap the upper edge oi the box so as to eli'eetually prevent theentmnce of water or moisture to the interior thereof.

The lid 7 is pivotally mounted at 9 and is provided with a dome likestructure 10, representing the National Capitol, which dome serves toaccommodate the operating mechanism of the display signals, two of whichare preferably employed and indicated at 11 and 12, respectively. Thesignal 11 is preferably formed integral with the dome 10 and issubstantially cylindrical in cross section, said signal being preferablypainted red and when displayed serving to indicate to the owner of thebox that the carrier has deposited mail therein. The movable signal 12telescopes the stationary signal 11 and is preferably painted blue orsome other suitable color in contrast to the color of the signal 11 sothat when the signal 12 is exposed, the carrier will know that the ownerof the box has deposited mail therein for collection. Fitting over bothsignals is a movable cap 13 which, when in the position shown in Figs. 3and 4 of the drawings, covers the members 11 and 12 so that no signalwill be displayed.

Riveted or otherwise rigidly secured at 14, to one side of the box,preferably between the hinges 9 thereof, is a supporting bar 15, thefree end of which is bifurcated to form spaced arms 16 on which arepivotally mounted for tilting movement spaced horizontally disposedoperating bars 17 and 18. Extending transversely through the operatingbars, is a pin or bolt 19 which forms the pivotal axis of a center beamor bar 20, there being tubular spacing members 21 inter posed betweenthe inner faces of the arms 16 and adjacent faces of the operating bars,as best shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, in order to maintain theseveral parts in proper position. Seated in suitable openings in theoperating bars 17 and 18, are bushings 22 through which the pin or bolt19 passes, there being washers 23 bearing against the extended ends ofthe bushings 22 so that when the nut 24 is adjusted on the threaded endof the bolt, the washers 23 will bear against the bushings and thusprevent binding or wedging action between the parts, said parts beingsecurely held in assembled position, while at the same time allowingpivotal movement thereof on the bolt 19.

Rigidly secured to and depending from the forked end of the support 15,are front and rear sets of curved bars 25 and 26, the front set of bars25 forming a guide for the center beam 20 and the rear set of bars 26serving to lock the operating bars 17 and 18 in raised and loweredposition, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Encircling theforward bars 25, is a coiled. spring 27, one end of which bears againsta pin 28, while the other end thereof serves to receive the impact ofthe center beam 20 when the latter is swung downwardly in the act ofopening the lid of the mail box, and thus forms in effect a buffer orcushioning device for the lid.

One end of the center beam 20 is bifurcated to form spaced arms 29,while the other end thereof is given a half twist at 30 and is thenceextended laterally to form oppositely disposed fingers 31 which normallyproject over and are spaced slightly from the upper longitudinal edgesof the operating bars 17 and 18. Mounted on the fingers 31, is a tripdevice 32, preferably in the form of a flat plate having slots .33formed therein and its lower face cut-away to provide spacedwedge-shaped lugs The bars 26 gradually increase in width from theirpoints of attachment to the arms 16 to the free ends thereof, the inneredges of said bars being provided with spaced locking notches 35 and 36adapted to receive spring pressed locking pawls 37 secured to the innerfaces of the operating bars 17 and 18. These locking pawls 37 areclearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, each pawl being preferablyformed of a single length of metal having its rear end offset at 38 andits free end provided with an incision 39, the metal at said incisionbeing pressed laterally to produce an inclined terminal 40.

Pivotally mounted at 41 on the inner faces of the operating bars 17 and18, are buttons 42, each provided with a finger piece 43 and awedge-shaped portion 44 adaptedto pass beneath the inclined lip orterminal 40 of the adjacent spring pawl 37 for the purpose ofdisengaging the pawls fro-1n the notches 35 and 36 when it is desired toreturn the signals to normal position, that is to say, to display nosignal whatever.

Extending laterally from the curved bars 26, are pins 45, the functionof which is to disengage the buttons 42 from the locking pawls 37 sothat when the operating bars 17 and 18 are swung upwardly, the pawls 37will automatically engage the notches 36 in the bars 26 and thus lockthe signals in inoperative position.

Extending transversely across the interior of the dome 10 and riveted orotherwise rigidly secured thereto, is a transverse bar 46 having ahorizontal keeper 47 mounted thereon and bet-ween which and the adjacentface of the bar is pivotally mounted for swinging movement a verticallydisposed connecting bar 48. The lower end of the connecting bar 48 ispivotally connected at 49 to the bifurcated end of the center beam orbar 20 so that when the lid of the mail box is moved to open position,an upward pull will be exerted on the connecting bar 48 which will inturn move the rear end of the center beam 20 downwardly in the path ofthe curved bars 26.

Rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the inner face of the cap 13is one end of a vertically disposed bar 50, the other end of which isprovided with a slot 51 which re ceives the pivot pin 52 of theconnecting bar 18. A similar bar 53 is disposed in spaced relation tothe bar 50, the upper end of the bar 53 being fastened to a transversebar 54 secured to the movable signal 12.

A relatively short bar 55 preferably extends transversely across theupper end of the stationary signal 11 and is provided with a pin 56which projects through slots 57 formed in the bars 50 and 53 and assistin guiding said bars. Secured to the outer faces of the bars 50 and 53,at a point above the pivot pin 52, are auxiliary connecting bars 58 and59, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected at 60 to the offsetends of the horizontal operating bars 17 and 18. Suitable coiled springs61 preferably form a yieldable connection between the transverse bar 46of the lid and the bars 50 and 53, respectively, said springs serving tohold the signals down on the lid, and also serving to assist in raisingor returning the operating bars 17 and 18 to normal position when thelid is lowered. The springs 61, however, are not placed under tensionuntil the oper-. at-or begins to lower or close the lid.

It is intended that the present mail box shall be under the control of akey, and with this end in View, there is provided a suitable lockconsisting of a keeper 62 having its lower end rigidly secured to theinner face of the receptacle 5 and its upper end spaced slightly fromthe inner wall of the receptacle and curved to form a locking hook 63adapted to receive a catch 6-1 depending from the lower edge of thecover 7, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 14 of the drawings. Arranged abovethe hook-shaped end 63 of the resilient keeper, is a laterally extendingflange or plate 65, the free end of which is curved or deflecteddownwardly at (36 and serves to guide the catch 64 in engagement withthe hooked end 63 of the keeper.

A ward 67 is ar 'anged near the keyhole 68 of the receptacle so as tonecessitate the employment of a specially constructed key, indicated at69 to open the box. It is obvious that. by inserting the key (59' in theopening 68 and partially turning the key, the hook of the keeper 62 willbe disengaged from the catch (34, thus causing the tension of the spring69 to move the lid of the mail box automatically to open position. Itwill of course be understood that the size and shape of the key-hole maybe varied and that a different kind or style of key may be used foropening each box, that is to say, the owner of each box may have a keyprovided with a different bit from the bits of the keys of the otherboxes, and the carrier may have a master key capable of unlocking all ofsaid boxes. One end of the spring 69 is rigidly secured to the rearwall. of the mail box or receptacle, while the other end thereof iscurved laterally and provided with a flat head 70 having a perforationtherein and adapted to register with any one of the perforations in acurved bar 71 secured to the inner wall of the lid 10 at the frontthereof, so that by inserting a pin or bolt 72 through the registeringperforations in the head 70 and bar 71., the tension of the spring (59may be regulated at will. The spring (it) is so positioned within thelid 10 as not to interfere with the operating mechanism.

A finger piece 7 3 is preferably secured to the lid of the box to assistin opening the same. Suitable bushings 71, similar in construction tothe bushings 22,are also preferably seated in the slots 51 of theauxiliary connecting bars 59 and washers 75 arranged to bear againstsaid bushings to prevent compression of the parts when the adjusting nuton the pivot pin 52 is regulated. if

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming the parts to be inthe position shown in Figs. 3 and 1 of the drawings, that is to say,with no signal displayed and the carrier wishes to deposit mail in thebox or receptacle, he inserts the key in the lock and releases the book(34, which causes the spring (39 to automati ally open the lid of thebox in the manner before stated. On the initial opening movement of thelid 7, an upward pull will be exerted on the connecting bar 1-8, whichtilts the rear end of the center beam 20, thus causing the wedgeshapedlugs 31 to engage the inclined lips 4-0 of the spring locking pawls,thereby disengaging said pawls from the upper locking notches 36, acontinued opening movement of the lid causing the fingers 31 to bearagainst the upper longitudinal edges of the. operating bars 17 and 18and force said bars, together with the center beam 20, downwardly in thepath of the curved bars 26 and past the lower notches 35 until thecenter beam 20 contacts with the cushioning spring 27. \Vhen the lid islowered the coiled spring (31 will be placed under tension and tend toreturn the center beam and operating bars to normal position. Owing tothe wedgeshaped formation of the curved bars 26, however. the inneredges of said bars will tend to distend or press the free ends of thelocking pawls inwardly and thus prevent undue friction between the lugs31 and said pawls, with the result that as the operating bars 17 and 18pass upwardly, the locking pawls will automatically engage the lowerlocking notches 35 and lock the bars 17 and 1.8 in the position shown inFig. 5 of the drawings. As the lid of the box is closed, the connectingbar 48 will return the center beam 20 to normal position and lower thestationary member 11, thus displaying the red signal and notifying theowner of the box that the carrier has deposited mail therein. The ownerof the box opens the lid thereof in the manner described to remove themail matter, and if he has any mail to deposit for collection by thecarrier, the owner swings the button 42 upwardly on the center beamconnected with the blue or movable signal 12, which causes thewedgeshaped portion 44 of the button to press the adjacent locking pawl37 inwardly so as to clear the lower locking recess 35. By now closingthe lid, one of the operating bars will be locked in lowered positionand the other operating bar, together with the center beam, returned tonormal position, thus withdrawing the movable signal 12 from the cap 13and causing the blue signal to be displayed, which, as before stated,inclicates that the owner has deposited mail in the box for collectionby the carrier.

It is of course understood that the display signals may be of anydesired color, the selection of blue and red for the owners and carrierssignals being arbitrary and merely for the purpose of illustration only.Should the owner of the box, after removing the mail therefrom, have nonew mail to deposit in said box for the carrier, the owner swings bothof the buttons 42 upwardly into engagement with the adjacent lockingpawl 37 which causes both of the operating bars 17 and 18 to clear thelower locking notches and return to normal position, thus lowering thecap 18 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so that no signalwill be displayed. Vhen both buttons are pressed into engagement withthe locking pawls 37 to display no signal, the lugs or pins 45 on thecurved bars 46 will automatically disengage the buttons 42 from thelocking members so that when the operating bars 17 and 18 are returnedto normal position, said locking bars will automatically engage theupper recesses 36 and lock the signal against further movement andthereby prevent an unauthorized person from surreptitiously operatingthe signal. Should the carrier in passing the box find the blue signaldisplayed and have mail himself to deposit in the box, the mere openingof the lid of the box will automatically take off the blue signal, andwhen the lid is closed, expose the red signal, this being accomplishedin the following manner: WVhen the lid is elevated, the center beam 20,together with the operating bar 18 will be moved downwardly along thebars 26, and in doing so, the wedge-shaped lugs 34 will disengage the operating bar 17 from the recess in the adjacent curved bar 26 and carryboth the bars 17 and 18 downwardly until the center beam engages thecushioning spring 27. When the lid of the box is closed, the coiledsprings 61 will force the bars 17 and 18 upwardly and cause the lockingpawls on the operating bars to engage the lower recesses 85 and in whichposition both operating bars will be held down, thus automaticallydisplaying the red signal and locking the parts in the position shown inFig. 5 of the drawings.

Thus it will be seen that the buttons 42- are operated manually todisplay either a blue signal or no signal, said buttons being returnedautomatically to inoperative position by engagement with the pins orlugs 45 in the manner before stated. It will also be seen that theconstruction of the operating mechanism is such as to automatically setthe carriers signal when the lid of the box is closed, regardless of thenature of the signal being displayed at the time the lid is opened.Sufficient space is preferably left between the lower end of the movablesignal 12 and the dome of the box to allow the wedge-shaped lugs 34 toengage the locking members before the lips 31 on the trip device come incontact with the operating bars 17 and 18.

It will here be noted that the coiled springs 61 serve to normally holdthe movable signal and cap over the stationary signal and also serve toreturn the horizontal operating bars and cause the locking membersthereof to engage the lower notches in the bars 26. The coiled springs61 also assist the main spring in opening the lid of the mail box whenthe lock is released.

Thus it will be seen that there is provided a thoroughly practical andeflicient mail box which is under the control of a key, which isabsolutely water proof, andwhich will automatically display a pluralityof signals so as to notify the carrier when mail is deposited in the boxfor collection, and when mail is deposited by the carrier in the box forremoval by the owner.

It will of course be understood that the boxes may be made in difierentsizes and shapes, and that the construction, operation and position ofthe interior operating mechanism varied at will without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, and means operativelyconnected with the movable signal for actuating the latter to expose thestationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position.

2. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, a signalcarried by the lid, means operatively connected with the signal fordisplaying the latter when the lid is moved to closed position, andmeans arranged for cooperation with the signal operating means to renderthe signal operating means inoperative.

3. A mail. box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, and means operativelyconnected with the movable signal. for moving the same to position todisplay the stationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position.

4t. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, telescopicsignals mounted on the lid, means for locking the lid in closedposition, and means operatively connected with the signals for movingone relatively to the other when said lid is closed.

5. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, a pluralityof telescopic signals carried by the lid, means operatively connectedwith the signals for displaying one of said signals actuated by movementof the lid to closed position, and means for locking said signal indisplay position.

6. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, a pluralityof telescopic display signals mounted on the lid, means operativelyconnected with the signals for exposing one signal actuated by movementof the lid to closed position, and manually operated means forpermitting the return to normal posit-ion of the signal being displayed.

7 A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, a plurality ofsignals of ditlerent colors mounted on the lid, means disposed withinthe receptacle and operatively connected with the signals for displaying a signal of one color when the lid is moved to closed position andactuated by the movement of the lid to closed position, and manuallyoperated means for permitting the display oi a signal of a differentcolor.

8. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid provided witha dome, relatively stationary and movable telescopic signals carried bythe dome, and means disposed within the dome and operatively connectedwith the HIOWIblO signal for actuating the latter to display thestationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position and actuated.by such movement of the lid.

9. A mail box including a receptacle hav ing a pivoted lid provided witha dome having an extension constituting a stationary signal, a movablesignal slidably mounted on the stationary signal, a cap fitting overboth signals, and means disposed within the dome and operativelyconnected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, for actuatingthe latter to display the stationary signal. when the lid is moved toclosed position.

10. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativelymovable signals carried by the lid, means operatively connected witheach of the signals for moving the same to display position as the lidis moved to closed position and actuated by the movement of the lid tosuch position, and selective means arranged for cooperation with thesignal operating means to render either of the signal moving meansinoperative.

11. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap normallyfitting over both signals, operating mechanism disposed within thereceptacle and connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively,for displaying the movable signal when the lid is closed, and means forlocking the movable signal in set position.

12. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativdlystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, operating mechanismdisposed within the receptacle for autonlatically displaying eithersignal as the lid is moved to closed position and actuated by suchmovement of the lid, and means for locking said signals in displayposition.

13. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, operating mechanism disposed within the receptacle andconnected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, for displayingeither the movable or stationary signal when the lid of the box is movedto closed position, means for locking said signals in display position,and means for permitting the return of said signals to normal position.

1%t. A. mail box including a rcceptaclehaving a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding captelescoping both signals, means for locking the lid in closed position,means disposed within the receptacle and operatively connected with thecap and. movable signal, respectively, -for displaying the stationarysignal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for lockingthe cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

1.5. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support disposed within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support, a connection between the operatingbars and the movable signal andv cap, respectively, for automaticallydisplaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closedposition, and means for locking the cap and movable signal in positionto display the stationary signal.

I (i. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting oversaid signals and normally housing the same, a support arranged withinthe receptacle and provided with depending arcuate bars, operating barspivotally mounted on the support, vertical bars forming a connectionbetween the operating bars and the movable signal and cap,respectively,for exposing the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closedposition, and means carried by the operating bars and engaging thearcuate bars for locking the can and movable signal in position todisplay the stationary signal.

17 A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap slidablymounted over both signals and forming a housing therefor, a support arranged within the receptacle, curved bars depending from the support andprovided with looking teeth, operating bars pivotally mounted on thesupport, means forming a connection between the cap and movable signal,respectively, and the adjacent ends of the operating bars for exposingthe stationary signal when the lid is closed, and means carried by theoperating bars and engaging the locking teeth for automatically lockingthe cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

18. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fittingover both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle and providedwith depending curved bars gradually increasing in width from one endthereof to the other, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, aconnection between the operating bars and the movable signal and cap,respectively, for automatically displaying the stationary signal whenthe lid is moved to closed position, and locking devices carried by theoperating bars and adapted to engage the curved bars for locking the capand movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

19. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fittingover both signals, means for locking the lid in closed position, meansdisposed within the receptacle and operatively connected with the bodythereof and lid, respectively, for automatically moving the lid to openposition when the locking means is released, a support, spaced operatingbars pivotally mounted on the support, means forming a connectionbetween the operating bars and movable signal and cap, respectively, forautomatically displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved toclosed position, and means for normally and yieldably holding the capover both signals.

20. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fittingover both signals, a support secured to the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with themovable signal and cap, respectively, spaced sets of curved barsdepending from the support, one set of said bars being substantiallywedge-shaped and provided with looking recesses, a transverse barcarried by the lid, and a center beam operatively connected with thetransverse bar and provided with lips adapted to bear against theoperating bars for depressing said bars and automatically displaying,

the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position. 7

21. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating barspivot-- ally mounted on the support and operatively connected wit-h thecap and movable signal, respectively, curved bars depending from thesupport, locking members carried by the operating bars and engaging thecurved bars for locking the cap and movable signal in position todisplay the stationary signal, and means operatively connected with thelid for automatically depressing the operating bars when the lid ismoved to open position, thereby to cause the locking members to engagethe curved bars.

22. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support rigidly secured to the interior wall oi thereceptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support andoperatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively,curved locking bars depending from the support, a center beam pivotallymounted on the support and operatively connected with the lid of themail box, locking members carried by the operating bars and normallyengaging the locking bars, and a trip device carried by the center beamfor disengaging the locking members from the locking bars.

23. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a rigid support disposed within the receptacle, lockingbars depending from the support, operating bars pivotally mounted onsaid support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap,respectively, spring locking pawls carried by the operating bars andnormally engaging the locking bars, a center beam operatively connectedwith the lid of the mail box, a trip device adapted to disengage thespring locking pawls from the locking bars, fingers carried by thecenter beam for depressing the operating bars when the lid is Cir 'movedto open position, means for displaying the stationary signal when thelid is moved to closed position, and means for locking the cap andmovable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

24. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, means for looking said lid in closed position, means forcushioning the opening movement of the lid, and means operativelyconnected with the cap and movable signal for automatically displayingthe stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position.

2*. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged within the receptacle and having itsend bifurcated to form spaced arms, operating bars pivotally mounted onthe arms and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal,respectively, a transverse bar secured to the lid, a center beampivotally mounted between the arms of the support and operativelyconnected with the bar of the lid, spaced sets of curved bars dependingfrom the arms of the support, one set of said bars being providedwithlocking teeth, spring locking members carried by the operating barsand normally engaging the teeth in the curved bars, a trip devicecarried by the center beam for disengaging the locking members from theteeth when the lid is moved to open position, and a yieldable connectionbetween the bar of the lid and the means for operating the movablesignal and cap respectively.

26. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable telescopic signals carried by the lid, a slidingcap normally fitting over and forming a housing for both signals, asupport arranged within the receptacle, operating bars mounted on thesupport and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap,respectively, locking bars depending from the support and provided withspaced notches, locking pawls carried by the operating bars and adaptedto engage said notches, a center beam operatively connected with the lidof the box, means carried by the center beam for disengaging the lockingpawls from the notches in the bars, and buttons mounted on the operatingbars for normally holding the locking pawls out of engagement with thenotches.

27. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting oversaid signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the lidand movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from thesupport and provided with notches, a center beam connected with the lidof the receptacle, resilient locking pawls carried by the operating barsand adapted to engage the notches in the locking bars, a trip devicecarried by the center beam for disengaging the pawls from said notches,and means mounted on the operating bars for holding the locking pawlsout of engagement with the notches in the locking bars.

28. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support ar- -anged within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with themovable signal and cap, respectively, locking bars depend ing from thesupport, guide bars also depending from the support and arranged infront of the locking bars, a cushioning spring encircling the guidebars, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of the box,locking members carried by the operating bars and engaging the lockingbars, a trip device mounted on the center beam for disengaging thelocking members from the locking bars, and manually operated means forholding the locking members out of engagement with the locking bars.

29. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support rigidly secured to the receptacle, operatingbars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with thecap and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from thesupport, a transverse bar secured to the lid, a center beam operativelyconnected with the transverse bar and having one end thereof providedwith laterally extending lips for engagement with the operating bars,spring locking members carried by the operating bars, a trip devicemounted for vertical adjustment on the lips and adapted to engage thespring locking members for disengaging said locking members from thelocking bars, and means independent of the trip device for moving thelooking members to inoperative position.

30. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable Signals mounted on the lid, :1 cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the capand movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from thesupport, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of thereceptacle and having one end thereof provided with laterally extendinglips for engagement with the op erating bars, spring locking pawlscarried by the operating bars, a trip device adjustable vertically ofthe lips and provided with wedge-shaped lugs adapted to engage thelocking pawls for moving the latter out of engagement with the lockingbars, and buttons pivotally mounted on the operating bars and havingwedge-shaped portions movable into engagement with the locking members.

31. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativelymovable signals carried by the lid, a cap arranged to cover the signals,means operatively connected with one of the signals and with the cap formoving the same, the moving means being actuated by the movement of thelid to closed position, and selective means for rendering either or bothof the means in operative.

32. A mail but including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support, a transverse bar carried by the lid,vertical bars having a slotted connection with the transverse bar of thelid and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap,respectively, a spring forming a connection be tween the transverse barand vertical bars, locking bars depending from the support, a centerbeam operatively connected with the transverse bar of the lid, lockingpawls carried by the operating bars, and engaging the locking bars and atrip device carried by the center beam for automatically disengaging thelocking pawls from the locking bars.

83. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, means for locking the lid in closed position, means forautomatically moving the lid to open position when the locking means isreleased, a sup port disposed within the receptacle, operat ing barspivotally mounted on the support, vertical bars connected with theoperating bars and having their upper ends connected with the cap andmovable signal, respectively, curved locking bars depending from thesupport, a center beam pivo-tally mounted on the support and operativelyconnected with the lid of the box, locking members carried by theoperating bars and engaging the locking bars, a trip device carried bythe center beam, and a cushioning device depending from the support forengagementwith the center beam.

84. A mail box including a receptacle hav ing a pivoted lid, means forlocking the lid in closed position, relatively stationary and movablesignals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, means forautomatically opening the lid when the locking means is released, atransverse bar rigidly secured to the lid, a keeper secured to thetransverse bar, a support arranged Within the receptacle, a center beampivotally mounted on the support, a bar having one end thereofbifurcated and connected with the center beam and its other end extendedthrough the keeper and mounted on the transverse bar of the lid,operating bars disposed on opposite sides of the center beam andoperatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively,spaced sets of curved bars depending from the support, one set of saidbars being provided with notches, a coiled spring encircling the otherset of curved bars and forming a cushion, spring locking members carriedby the operating bars and adapted to engage the notches in the lockingbars, a trip de vice carried by the center beam for disengaging thelocking members from the looking bars, a spring forming a connectionbetween the transverse bar of the lid and the connecting members of thesignal and cap, respectively, said connecting members each having a pinand slot connection With the transverse bar, and means independent ofthe trip device for holding the spring locking members in inoperativeposition.

35. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged Within the receptacle, operating barspivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the capand movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from thesupport, pawls carried by the operating bars and engaging the lockingbars for holding the cap and movable signal in position to display thestationary signal, buttons mounted on the operating bars for holding thepawls out of engagement with the locking bars, and means carried by thelocking bars and disposed in the path of the buttons for automaticallydisengaging said buttons from the pawls.

36. A mail boX including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting overboth signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating'barspivotally mounted on the support and opera tively connected with the capand movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from thesupport, spring locking member carried by the operating bars andengaging the locking bars for holding the cap and movable signal inposition to display the stationary signal, wedge-shaped buttonspivotally mounted on the operating bars for disengaging the lockingmembers from the locking bars, and pins extending laterally from thelocking bars and disposed in the path of the buttons for automaticallydisengaging said buttons from the spring locking members.

37. A mail box including a receptacle, having a movable lid, relativelystationary and movable signals carried by the lid, means operativelyconnected with the movable signal for actuating the latter to displaythe stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, andmeans for ren- 10 dering the actuating means for the movable signalinoperative.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

W'ILLIAM I-I. MULLINS. [1 5.] Witnesses:

R. L. PALMER, A. N. SEYMOUR.

copies at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by Manningthe Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. 0.

